Latin Americas’ Economic & Political Outlook

Members of the Inter-American Dialogue’s Corporate Program are invited to an informal, off-the-record discussion with US government officials about the economic and political outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean.

We are meeting to review major developments in the region in 2015 and look ahead to 2016.  Markets and currencies have taken a hit in many countries this year.  There are worries about the impact of China’s economic growth and the oil price shock. Brazil is dealing with a recession and corruption scandals, while Mexico, beset by security issues and its own corruption problems, is moving ahead on its reform agenda. Venezuela is in the midst of the region’s most severe crisis in recent times. Colombia seems closer to ending its longstanding armed conflict. Argentina awaits a new government on December 10th. The US and Cuba are moving towards greater engagement. And earlier this month talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, including the US, Canada, Mexico, Peru, and Chile, were concluded. 
 
How does Washington interpret these events in the region? What economic and political developments are shaping the outlook for 2016? What role is the United States likely to play in addressing important problems and opportunities facing the hemisphere in the period ahead?
 
 Michael Kaplan, deputy assistant secretary for the Western Hemisphere at the US Department of the Treasury, and John Andersen, deputy assistant secretary for the Western Hemisphere at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration will provide brief remarks, which will be followed by a wide-ranging, informal exchange with participants.

For more information, contact Erik Brand, corporate program director, at ebrand@thedialogue.org.